Though commissioners took no vote on the actual request, they scheduled a special 7 p.m. meeting for next Tuesday, Feb. 16. That's when they are expected to finalize the ballot language for the May 4 election.

Some commissioners said they had questions, but none of them said they would reject Sundstrom's request to raise the city income tax on residents from 1.3 percent to 1.5 percent and from .65 percent to .75 percent on city earnings by non-residents.

Mayor George Heartwell said the city has dealt with $100 million worth of deficits over the past decade and cannot expect help from state officials.

"The state of Michigan is in a death spiral and it's pulling us into it," Heartwell said.

Second Ward Commissioner Rosalynn Bliss said she wants to hear more about the steps the city has taken so far and the steps the city will take in the future.

"The fact of the matter is we're not the only ones struggling," she said. "Families are struggling. We really need to listen to the people we represent."

First Ward Commissioner Dave Shaffer said he wants to hear more about Sundstrom's plans to transform the city government over the next five years. "I think it's important that we have a good action plan," he said.

Meanwhile, Shaffer asked commissioners to set aside Sundstrom's recommendation to establish a new street lighting utility that would charge property owners for the cost of street lights. The proposal would raise $3.3 million, costing property owners an average of $48 a year.

"I think that's a discussion for another day, " Heartwell said. "But I think there is some support for that at this table."

Sundstrom told commissioners his proposed tax increase would raise $7 million a year. It would not rescue the city from its money problems, he warned.

"A successful ballot proposal would not provide the fix, it would provide time to stabilize city operations to permit the organization to transform," he said.